Paper towel dispenser for accommodating different sizes of paper towel rolls

ABSTRACT

A paper towel dispenser is provided, along with a system for retrofitting an existing paper towel dispenser. The dispenser includes a housing configured to mount to a wall. A pair of opposing hubs are located within the housing and define a first distance therebetween. A spindle is attached the hubs. The spindle has a length and defines a cylindrical region between the hubs. The cylindrical region has a second distance that is less than the first distance such that the spindle extends lengthwise beyond a paper towel supported on the spindle. The spindle has end regions having a diameter that exceeds that of the cylindrical region in order to contain the paper towel roll on the cylindrical region.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a paper towel dispenser configured to accommodate different sizes of paper towel rolls. More specifically, a spindle for supporting a paper towel roll is disclosed that allows the paper towel dispenser to be modified to accommodate smaller sizes of paper towel rolls. The spindle can be retrofitted onto an existing paper towel dispenser in order to allow the existing paper towel dispenser to dispense smaller paper towels.

BACKGROUND

Paper towel dispensers can be found in a variety of places, but mostly in public restrooms. A restroom patron can pull a lever, twist a knob, or simply place his hands by an electronic sensor in order to cause paper towel to be dispensed, allowing the patron to dry his or her hands. The paper towel inside of the dispenser is provided on a reel or roll. As the paper towel is dispensed, the roll spins and becomes smaller and smaller, until the paper towel is gone. At that time, an operator must open the dispenser, remove the core of the paper towel dispenser, and replace the dispenser with another roll of paper towel. The mechanics and size of paper towel dispensers require that the new paper towel roll being inserted into the dispenser is nearly identical to the previous paper towel roll.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a paper towel dispenser includes a housing configured to mount to a wall, and a pair of opposing hubs within the housing that define a first distance therebetween. A spindle is attached the hubs. The spindle has a length and defines a cylindrical region between the hubs. The cylindrical region has a second distance that is less than the first distance. A paper towel roll has a pair of ends is rotatably coupled about the cylindrical region of the spindle such that the spindle extends beyond the ends of the paper towel roll.

The hubs may include a first hub and a second hub, and the spindle may include a first end surface and a second end surface that differ in size. The first end surface and the second end surface may be configured to removably attach to the first hub and the second hub, respectively.

The first end surface may have a first surface feature thereon and the second end surface may have a second surface feature thereon that differs from the first surface feature. The first and second surface features may be configured to removably engage with the first and second hub, respectively.

The spindle may include an end surface with a plurality of projections extending therefrom that are configured to attach to one of the hubs.

The cylindrical region may be recessed from a remainder of the spindle.

The spindle may include a first end region abutting a first end of the cylindrical region and a second end region abutting a second end of the cylindrical region. The first and second end regions each have a diameter that exceeds that of the cylindrical region to contain the paper towel roll on the cylindrical region between the end regions.

The first end region may extend along a length that exceeds that of the second end region such that the cylindrical region of the spindle is offset from a center of the spindle.

The spindle may be non-rotatably coupled to the hubs such that the spindle does not rotate as the paper towel roll rotates during dispensing of the paper towel roll.

According to another embodiment of this disclosure, a system for adjusting the size of paper dispensed from a paper towel dispenser is provided. The system includes a housing configured to mount to a wall. A pair of opposing hubs are contained within the housing. A first spindle has a first pair of outer ends for selectively coupling the first spindle to the hubs. The first spindle further has a first cylindrical region with a first length for supporting a first paper towel roll with a first width. A second spindle has a second pair of outer ends for selectively coupling the second spindle to the hubs. The second spindle further has second cylindrical region with a second length that differs from the first length for supporting a second paper towel roll with a second width.

The outer ends of the first spindle may differ from one another in profile.

Even though the second spindle has a second cylindrical region that differs from the first cylindrical region of the first spindle, the first pair of outer ends may be identical to the second pair of outer ends to facilitate an identical connection between (i) the hubs and the first outer ends, and (ii) the hubs and the second outer ends.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for modifying an existing paper towel dispenser to accommodate smaller paper towel rolls is provided. The method includes accessing an interior region of a housing of the existing paper towel dispenser that has a pair of opposing hubs separated by a distance. The method also includes removably attaching ends of a spindle to the hubs, wherein the spindle has a central region with a diameter that differs from the ends for supporting a paper towel roll that has a width that is smaller than the distance between the hubs.

The step of removably attaching may include fixing a surface feature of one of the ends of the spindle to a corresponding surface feature of the hub.

The spindle may be a first spindle. The method may further include removing the spindle from the hubs, and removably attaching ends of a second spindle to the hubs, wherein the second spindle has a central region with a diameter that differs in size from the central region of the first spindle.

The method may further include, before the step of removably attaching, attaching a tube of the paper towel roll to the spindle.

The step of removably attaching may include pressing a plurality of projections of one of the ends of the spindle into one of the hubs.

The step of removably attaching may include sliding a plurality of grooves of one of the ends of the spindle into engagement with a plurality of projections of one of the hubs.

One of the ends of the spindle may have an opening with an inner diameter that exceeds an inner diameter of the central region, wherein the step of removably attaching includes fitting the inner diameter of the opening around a portion of the hub.

The step of removably attaching may include inserting a pin that extends from one of the ends of the spindle into a corresponding hole in the hub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a paper towel dispenser partially cut-away to show a portion of the interior of the dispenser, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the paper towel dispenser with a modified spindle to enable a smaller-sized paper towel roll to be fitted into the dispenser, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of hubs within the dispenser to support the paper towel roll, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a paper towel dispenser having a modified spindle for supporting a smaller paper towel roll, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of one spindle in a standing, upright position, in which the spindle includes projections that engage with a hub of the dispenser.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of another spindle in a standing, upright position, in which the spindle includes grooves that engage with a hub of the dispenser.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of another spindle in a standing, upright position.

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of another spindle in a standing, upright position, in which the spindle includes an open mouth at one end and flared flanges at another end for engaging with hubs of the dispenser.

FIG. 5E is a perspective view of another spindle in a standing, upright position,.

FIG. 5F is a perspective view of another spindle in a standing, upright position, in which the spindle includes a wide, flat end with a projection for engaging with one hub of the dispenser.

FIG. 5G is a perspective view of another spindle in a standing, upright position, in which the spindle includes a pin or projection extending from one end to engage within a corresponding slot or groove in one hub of the dispenser.

FIG. 5H is a perspective view of another spindle in a standing, upright position.

FIG. 5I is a perspective view of another spindle in a standing, upright position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments can take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures can be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.

Referring to FIG. 1, a paper towel dispenser 10 is illustrated. The paper towel dispenser 10 may also be referred to as, simply, a dispenser. The dispenser 10 is configured to support a roll of paper towel and dispense a portion of the roll for an operator to dry his/her hands. The dispenser 10 may dispense the paper towel from within by known means, all of which are contemplated as part of this disclosure. For example, a handle, knob, lever or the like may be provided that, when activated by an operator, cause the paper towel roll to rotate and dispense one or more sheets of paper towel. An electric motor and associated sensor (e.g., proximity sensor, motion sensor, etc.) are also suitable means of dispensing the paper towel from the dispenser 10.

The paper towel dispenser 10 includes a housing 12 that can be translucent to enable a user to see the interior of the housing 12. The housing 12 can be removably mounted to a bracket 14 which is, in turn, mounted to a wall. An operator can remove the housing 12 from the bracket 14 to gain access to the interior of the paper towel dispenser 10 in order to, for example, make repairs or swap an old paper towel roll for a new one.

A pair of arms, such as a first arm 16 and a second arm 18, extend from the bracket 14 and are mounted within the dispenser 10. The first bracket 16 may have a first hub 20, and the second bracket 18 may have a second hub 22. The hubs 20, 22 are integrally formed or are fixedly mounted on the arms 16, 18 such that a spindle 30 is separate from and removably attached to the hubs and arms. The spindle 30 shown in FIG. 1 is but one embodiment of a spindle configured for use in the paper towel dispenser of this disclosure, and additional embodiments of the spindle 30 are explained below and shown in the Figures.

Typical paper towel dispensers do not include a separate spindle 30 that is separate and distinct from the paper towel roll. The typical paper towel dispensers utilize paper towel rolls that extend entirely between the hubs such that the hubs support the inner cylindrical rod of the paper towel roll. Without a separate spindle 30, the typical paper towel dispenser requires a paper towel roll having a sufficient width to span the entire distance between the hubs so that both hubs can support the paper towel roll. Thus, when the operator replaces one paper towel for another, the operator must use similarly-sized paper towel rolls with each replacement; there is no ability to insert paper towel rolls having a significantly smaller width.

Therefore, the paper towel dispenser of the present disclosure utilizes the spindle, such as spindle 30 and other various embodiments described herein and shown in the Figures. The spindle 30 is removably attached to the hubs 20, 22 which are fixed with respect to the arms 16. The spindle 30 of FIG. 1 is a generally cylindrical spindle that is not part of the roll of paper towel 32. Instead, the spindle 30 supports an inner cylindrical rod (made of cardboard or the like) of the paper towel roll 32 which is wrapped by the paper towel. In other words, the spindle 30 is removably attached to the hubs 20, 22, and supports the paper towel roll 32, which includes the inner cylindrical rod and the paper towel.

In use, the spindle 30 can be removed from the hubs 20, 22 so that one paper towel roll can be removed from the spindle 30, and a new paper towel roll can be slid around the spindle 30. The spindle can then be reengaged with the hubs 20, 22 so that the new paper towel roll can be dispensed. The spindle 30 therefore enables the operator to replace one paper towel roll having a large width of paper towel with another paper towel roll having a smaller width of paper towel.

The spindles described herein can be utilized to retrofit an existing paper towel dispenser to accommodate smaller-sized paper towel rolls. For example, an existing paper towel dispenser can be retrofitted to include one of the exemplary spindles described herein attached to and between the hubs 20, 22. The newly-attached spindle can then enable the paper towel dispenser to dispense paper towel that is smaller in width (i.e., a direction extending along the axis of the spindle). This can help convert a paper towel dispenser that may be more suitable for adults (e.g., wider paper towel) into a paper towel dispenser that may be more suitable for children (e.g., thinner paper towel).

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of the dispenser 10 in which another embodiment of a spindle 40 is provided. The spindle 40 is attached to and between the hubs 22, which will be described below. The spindle 40 includes a first end region 42 extending from one end of the spindle, and a second end region 44 extending from another end of the spindle. Between the end regions 42, 44 is a central region, also referred to as a cylindrical region 46 or cylindrical central region. The cylindrical region 46 is cylindrical throughout, and defines a cylindrical outer surface for supporting a paper towel roll. The cylindrical region 46 has a diameter that is less than that of each of the end regions 42, 44 such that an attached paper towel roll is contained between the end regions 42, 44. For example, the end regions may include an end surface (such as end surface 48) that faces inward toward the cylindrical region 46. These end surfaces can abut the sides of the paper towel roll to contain the paper towel roll on the cylindrical region 46.

A portion of the cylindrical region 46 is located at a center point of the distance between the two hubs 20, 22 so that a portion of the attached paper towel roll is also located at a center point of the distance between the two hubs 20, 22. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the center of the cylindrical region 46 may be offset from the center of the distance between the two hubs 20, 22. In other words, the first end region 42 may be sized differently than the second end region 44. The first end region 42 may have a length (extending along the center axis of the spindle 40) that exceeds the length of the second end region 44. This allows an attached paper towel roll to be offset from the center, allowing operators to visually see that a smaller paper towel roll has been attached in the existing dispenser.

FIG. 3 shows the arms 16, 18 and associated hubs 20, 22 in isolation without an attached spindle. The arms 16, 18 may extend from or mount to the bracket 14 or other structure within the dispenser that is mounted to an external surface such as a wall. Each hub 20, 22 and respective arm 16, 18 can be a single integrally-formed piece, or the hubs 20, 22 can be separately mounted to the arms 16, 18. The hubs 20, 22 may be configured to rotate about an axis relative to the fixed hubs 20, 22. Rotation of the hubs 20, 22 can cause an attached spindle to rotate as well during dispensing of paper towel. Alternatively, the hubs 20, 22 may be fixed such that they do not rotate with respect to the arms 16, 18 during dispensing of paper towel. In either embodiment, the spindle is non-rotatably coupled to the hubs such that the spindle does not rotate with respect to the hub, but both may rotate together in unison. Embodiments of non-rotatably coupling the spindle to the hubs 20, 22 are illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5I described below.

Alternatively, the spindle may be rotatably coupled to the hubs such that the spindle can rotate relative to the hubs 20, 22 during dispensing of paper towel. Examples of spindles that are capable of being rotatably coupled to the hubs 20, 22 are shown in FIGS. 5C-5I which are described below.

FIG. 4 illustrates a dispenser with a spindle 60 according to another embodiment for supporting another paper towel roll 62 that is smaller (e.g., more narrow) than the roll of paper towel 32 shown in FIG. 1. The spindle 60 includes a central cylindrical region 64 that is again recessed or located radially inward from the abutting end regions 66, 68. In this embodiment, the central cylindrical region 64 is located centrally on the spindle 60. Employing the teachings described above, the spindle 60 (and other spindles described herein) allows an existing paper towel dispenser to be retrofitted to dispense smaller paper towel using such a spindle.

FIGS. 5A-5I show various spindles according to different embodiments. In each embodiment other than FIGS. 5B, 5H and 5I, a central cylindrical region is provided between two end regions of the spindle for supporting a paper towel roll between the end regions. As will be described, some of the spindles have surface features (e.g., projections, pins, grooves, mouths, etc.) that cooperate with corresponding surface features on at least one of the hubs to engage and connect the spindle with the hubs.

FIG. 5A shows a spindle 100 having a central cylindrical region 102 between a first end region 104 and a second end region 106. The first end region 104 is cylindrical, with a larger diameter than that of the central cylindrical region 102. The second end region 106 is tapered outward toward an end surface 107. The end surface 107 has projections or teeth 108 extending therefrom. These teeth 108 can have sharp ends for attaching to a corresponding surface of the hub of the dispenser. The teeth 108 can be press-fit into a flat surface or into grooves of the hub.

FIG. 5B shows a spindle 110 having a cylindrical region 112 that can extend entirely to one end 114. On another end is an end region 116 having a diameter greater than the cylindrical region 112. The open end of the end region 116 includes a plurality of grooves 118 extending partially into the end region 116 toward the center of the spindle 110. These grooves 118 serve to locate and connect the spindle 110 to corresponding projections or other surface features on the hub.

FIG. 5C shows a spindle 120 having a cylindrical region 122, a first end region 124 that tapers out to an open mouth, and a second end region 126 that is cylindrical, having a diameter greater than that of the cylindrical region 122. The greater diameter of the second end region 126 contains the paper towel roll on the cylindrical region 122. A tapered surface 128 between the cylindrical region 122 and the second end region 126 forces the paper towel roll back onto the cylindrical region 122 if the paper towel roll is shifted during dispensing. This tapered surface 128 can allow more lateral movement of the paper towel roll along the spindle than, for example, the end surface 48 that prevents any lateral movement of the paper towel roll outside of the cylindrical region 46.

FIG. 5D shows a spindle 130 having a cylindrical region 132 bound between a first end region 134 and a second end region 136. The first end region 134 includes flared flanges 138 for engaging with one hub of the dispenser. The second end region 136 tapers from the cylindrical region 132 toward an open mouth with a wider diameter than that of the cylindrical region 132. The open mouth can receive a corresponding region of the hub.

FIG. 5E shows a spindle 140 having two mouths at either end region 142, 144. The two mouths can differ in diameter to engage with two hubs that have differently-sized engagement regions.

FIG. 5F shows a spindle 150 having an end region 152 that is flattened to engage with a corresponding flat groove or pocket within the hub. The end region 152 has a tip 154 that can be inserted into a smaller groove or pocket within the hub for further engagement.

FIG. 5G shows a spindle 160 having an end region 162 with an elongated thin pin 164. To attach the spindle 160 to the hubs, the pin 164 is inserted into a corresponding groove or pocket within the hub.

FIG. 5H shows a spindle 170 having an end region 172 that is a pin having a larger diameter than the pin 164 of FIG. 5G.

FIG. 5I shows a spindle 180 having a cylindrical region 182 that extends entirely to the ends of the spindle.

While the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5I show various spindles each having different end regions, it should be understood that the characteristics of one end region can be mirrored or repeated on the other end region of that spindle. Furthermore, other embodiments are contemplated as part of this disclosure in which spindles include end regions from multiple spindles shown in the Figures. For example, a spindle can be provided with one end region 106 from FIG. 5A, and another end region 144 from FIG. 5E. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5I can be combined according to the skills of one of ordinary skill in the art given the teachings of this disclosure.

Utilizing one or more of the surface features explained above, the spindles may be non-rotatably coupled to the hubs such that the spindles and hubs rotate in unison. Alternatively, the spindles may be non-rotatably coupled to the hubs which are, in turn, non-rotatably coupled to the arms such that the paper towel roll spins while the spindle is held motionless during dispensing.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms encompassed by the claims. The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments of the invention that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics can be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes can include, but are not limited to cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. As such, to the extent any embodiments are described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics, these embodiments are not outside the scope of the disclosure and can be desirable for particular applications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A paper towel dispenser, comprising: a housing configured to mount to a wall; a pair of opposing hubs within the housing and defining a first distance therebetween; a spindle attached the hubs, the spindle having a length and defining a cylindrical region between the hubs, the cylindrical region having a second distance that is less than the first distance such that the spindle extends lengthwise beyond a paper towel supported on the spindle.
 2. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein the hubs include a first hub and a second hub, and the spindle includes a first end surface and a second end surface that differ in size, wherein the first end surface and the second end surface are configured to removably attach to the first hub and the second hub, respectively.
 3. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein the hubs include a first hub and a second hub, wherein the spindle includes a first end surface having a first surface feature thereon and a second end surface having a second surface feature thereon that differs from the first surface feature, the first and second surface features configured to removably engage with the first and second hub, respectively.
 4. The paper towel dispenser of claim 3, wherein the first hub has a first surface feature thereon for engaging with the first surface feature of the spindle, and the second hub has a second surface feature thereon for engaging with the second surface feature of the spindle and that differs from the first surface feature of the first hub.
 5. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein the spindle includes an end surface with a plurality of projections extending therefrom that are configured to attach to one of the hubs.
 6. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical region is recessed from a remainder of the spindle.
 7. The paper towel dispenser of claim 1, wherein the spindle includes a first end region abutting a first end of the cylindrical region and a second end region abutting a second end of the cylindrical region, wherein the first and second end regions each have a diameter that exceeds that of the cylindrical region to contain the paper towel roll on the cylindrical region between the end regions.
 8. The paper towel dispenser of claim 7, wherein the first end region extends along a length that exceeds that of the second end region such that the cylindrical region of the spindle is offset from a center of the spindle.
 9. The paper towel dispenser of claim 7, wherein the spindle is non-rotatably coupled to the hubs.
 10. A system for adjusting the size of paper dispensed from a paper towel dispenser, the system comprising: a housing configured to mount to a wall; a pair of opposing hubs contained within the housing; a first spindle having a first pair of outer ends for selectively coupling the first spindle to the hubs, the first spindle further having a first cylindrical region with a first length for supporting a first paper towel roll with a first width; and a second spindle having a second pair of outer ends for selectively coupling the second spindle to the hubs, the second spindle further having a second cylindrical region with a second length that differs from the first length for supporting a second paper towel roll with a second width; wherein the first and second spindles are selectively attachable and removable from the hubs to enable the paper towel roll to dispense differently-sized paper towel rolls.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first pair of outer ends have first surface features for engaging the hubs, and the second pair of outer ends have second surface features that are different than the first surface features.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the outer ends of the first spindle differ in profile from one another.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the first pair of outer ends are identical to the second pair of outer ends to facilitate an identical connection between (i) the hubs and the first outer ends, and (ii) the hubs and the second outer ends.
 14. A method for modifying an existing paper towel dispenser to accommodate smaller paper towel rolls, the method comprising: accessing an interior region of a housing of the existing paper towel dispenser that has a pair of opposing hubs separated by a distance; removably attaching ends of a spindle to the hubs, wherein the spindle has a central region with a diameter that differs from the ends for supporting a paper towel roll that has a width that is smaller than the distance between the hubs.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of removably attaching includes fixing a surface feature of one of the ends of the spindle to a corresponding surface feature of the hub.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the spindle is a first spindle, the method further comprising removing the spindle from the hubs, and removably attaching ends of a second spindle to the hubs, wherein the second spindle has a central region with a diameter that differs in size from the central region of the first spindle.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising before the step of removably attaching, attaching a tube of the paper towel roll to the spindle.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of removably attaching includes pressing a plurality of projections of one of the ends of the spindle into one of the hubs.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of removably attaching includes sliding a plurality of grooves of one of the ends of the spindle into engagement with a plurality of projections of one of the hubs.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein one of the ends of the spindle has an opening with an inner diameter that exceeds an inner diameter of the central region, wherein the step of removably attaching includes fitting the inner diameter of the opening around a portion of the hub. 